The Economic Times of India is reporting that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch their navigation satellite IRNSS-1H by the end of August to augment the existing seven satellites of the NavIC constellation, this according to a senior ISRO official said. — the exact date will be announced shortly.

To be launched on board PSLV-C39, IRNSS-1H will be a "back up" navigation satellite for IRNSS-1A, one among the seven satellites in the constellation, as that satellite's three rubidium atomic clocks had stopped functioning.

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by India that is on par with US-based GPS. The system that offers services such as terrestrial and marine navigation, disaster management vehicle tracking and fleet management, navigation aids for hikers and travelers, visual and voice navigation for drivers, among other services.

To date, the ISRO has launched seven satellites: IRNSS-1G on April 28, 2016, IRNSS-1F on March 10, 2016, IRNSS-1E on Janury 20, 2016, IRNSS-1D on March 28, 2015, IRNSS-1C on October 16, 20145, IRNSS-1B on April 4, 2014, and IRNSS-1A on July 1, 2013. The total cost of these seven satellites was Rs 1,420 crore according to ISRO officials.

"IRNSS-1H on board PSLV-C39 will be launched by the end of this month. The exact date will be decided shortly," a senior ISRO official told PTI.

He said IRNSS-1H will be a back up for IRNSS-1A, whose three "imported atomic clocks had failed".

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by India on par with US-based GPS.